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Warden’s Letter 5/10

lynn — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:28:18 +0000

From the Desk of the Warden

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Now that the cold winds and snow of winter have ended we are now entering a new season of life here at St. Andrews. We will still have to deal with some harsh weather changes including the heat of bills from the gas and electric companies along with insurance, building upkeep and of course the ever rising water bills. There are also good weather changes too in the return of our rector Mother Sarah and the designation of the Nation Historic register which will open up opportunities for grant monies, so all at St. Andrews is not bleak.
There are a lot of things that must be worked on here at St. Andrews if we want to keep the doors from closing. First we must go out and Shepard more members into our fold and bring back some of our lost sheep. Secondly, we have to look to others for financial help to bring the church building of St. Andrews into the 21st century, which means going after grants. The process of grant writing is not an easy one, but for our life and continuance, it is essential for our process of survival and dare I say growth of the parish.
Thirdly, we have to learn as a parish how to be self reliant, lay lead not rector led. This will be a process of trial and error but I feel we can do it. Fourth, we must keep up our pledges as well as we are able, the pledge money and our weekly offering plate are what is keeping us alive or on slow weeks makes life that much more difficult.
The upcoming weeks and months will be challenging, maybe even scary at times but I feel we can still move St. Andrews on to the next level of life of the parish. Please help me and the other members of the vestry along this journey so it may not be a bumpy ride but a journey with many wonderful sights and a many fine foods to feed the soul. God bless each and everyone one of you.

Yours in the service of Christ,

Michael Maciejewski
Warden

Christmas Letter

lynn — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:39:38 +0000

St. Andrew’s

The Episcopal Church in University Heights

3105 Main Street

Buffalo, NY 14214

Christmas 2009

Beloved of St. Andrew’s

This Christmas finds us not unlike those who found themselves present at the First Christmas, the birth of the Christ Child. We, and the world, seem to not quite know what is going on much less what it may mean. “How do we bring a child into this world?” was inevitably a question 2009 years ago and is still one many have today.

Our St. Andrew’s questions are: What is going on with our church (Anglican Communion, Episcopal, Diocese of WNY and St. Andrew’s) and what does any of it mean? All the while, we need to ask and live into the question: how do we embody The Church in the world; St. Andrew’s in the in the neighborhood, city, county, state, country and globe in which we live today.

The Good News is we are not alone. Many churches, both nationally and globally, are in similar situations. We are, however, interesting enough in our pursuit of just how we respond to the questions asked above to become a Case Study for the lay led Episcopal Church Foundation. Donald Romanik, ECF President was very impressed with his conversation with the several of our congregants he met with he this past November. Reflecting on our past and present will bring us greater clarity for our future, whatever that may be.

We have one concrete thing as fact (no pun intended!): the final proposal draft for St. Andrew’s application to be listed on the National Historic Register is nearing completion. We have the most competent of all persons writing our proposal, a team well respected in the field as well as the newly energized Preservation: Buffalo, Niagara. The National Secretary who leads decision-making has already visited St. Andrew’s and brings assurance our being listed on the NHR will come to pass.

What does this means for St. Andrew’s? As well as having national and state recognition at this particular time in our region when Historic Preservation is one of the driving forces for tourism and development, we become more of a safe anchor for the troubled neighborhood in which we live.

Over the past several years we have drawn many local, national and international figures to our plight, and the gift of St. Andrew’s. Many are now notably aware and respect our church building was given in thanksgiving and witness for the life and ministry of Charles Henry Brent, a first citizen of Buffalo and a first citizen of the world. Many perceive the vision he brought into this world, which is embodied in the spirit of St. Andrew’s is about to burgeon again in the multifaith, multicultural world in which we now find ourselves. When the time is right and we can make our NHR status known, we will be able to draw upon these relations to assist us in going the next leg of our journey.

Meanwhile, there are innumerable grants which NHR status will enable us to apply for: primarily those for securing the foundation of our building, upgrading our plant and expanding our initiative towards going “Green.” Contacts are already being made.

Jesus didn’t grow into his full stature as a human being until the age of 33. Nor did full recognition of who it is he was and is (and which is an ongoing eternal process of discovery) emerge. So it is with our lives as individuals and the life of The Body of Christ, also, the Church.

This Christmas, I invite you to “keep the faith” not just in Christ Jesus, but in yourselves, in St. Andrew’s and more so in God for all God has given and continues to give us. In “opening our eyes to see God’s hand at work in the world about us” may we see more clearly where God’s hand is leading us and all we have to be thankful for. When we are thankful, we become thankful givers. And paradoxically, as Jesus always is, the reverse is true, sometimes in giving our eyes are opened to receive.

I leave you with the words of Lao Tzu, a philosopher of ancient China: “To know when you have enough is to be rich beyond measure.” This Christmas, look and see where you and St. Andrew’s has “enough” and how very rich we truly are.

Yours in Christ,

The Revd Sarah Buxton-Smith

Rector

The card enclosed is from Bethlehem. It is a picture of the spot where it is believed Jesus was born. When there, if you lie down flat, you can put your face over the space and breathe in the air.

It seems to come from the navel of the world.

PLEASE COME TO CHURCH SUNDAY DECEMBER 27

FOR A VERY IMPORTANT COMMUNITY CONVERSTAION

FOLLOWING THE 10:30 SERVICE

Find out more about Mother Sarah’s Sabbatical,

Fr. Stephen’s time with us while she is apart,

new leadership emerging at St. Andrew’s

and opportunities for growth and development.

Sacred Songs for a Sacred Feast

lynn — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:42:53 +0000

Sacred Songs for a Sacred Feast
A Gala Choral Concert and Dinner

Pentecost Sunday: May 31st 2009
Concert at 4 oâ€™clock in the afternoon
Dinner at 6 oâ€™clock in the evening

The Schola Cantorum of St. Andrewâ€™s Church makes their Concert Debut,
singing works of Sir Edward Elgar, John Ireland, Roland E. Martin, Paul Manz, CÃ©sar Franck, Richard Shephard, Arlen Clarke, William Roger Price, Gabriel FaurÃ©, George Mabry, and St. Andrewâ€™s resident Pastoral Musician, Peter Davis.
Following the Concert, a fabulous feast for dinner featuring Mother Ellenâ€™s renown authentic Tuscan Pasta Sauce, together with wine and non-alcoholic beverages, salad, bread, and dessert!

All proceeds benefit the ministries of St. Andrewâ€™s Church.

Advance Sale Tickets Only!
Concert and Dinner:
$20.00 Regular Admission
$10.00 Children under 12, Students and Senior Citizens (62+)
Tickets available from the Parish Office or from any Schola Member.

Call, e-mail or visit our web site for more information.
musicatstandrews@aol.com or www.standrewbuffalo.org
PRESENTED BY ST. ANDREWâ€™S CHURCH AND
THE BUFFALO COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.